"Strange Love" is a song that was issued as the third single by Motown singer Mary Wells. The song would be later issued on Wells' second album, The One Who Really Loves You.

Song information

The song talks of a woman who says despite the fact she has separated from a former lover, she still has emotions for him often recalling memories of the lover and says the harder she tries to get rid of the memories, the more she wants him back. It was a rare ballad released by the teenage crooner.

Strange Love (song)

Charts

Released shortly after her second single, "I Don't Want to Take a Chance" became her first top 40 hit in 1961, the single failed to chart which resulted in Motown CEO Berry Gordy hiring different writers to give Wells a more polished pop sound, finally finding the answer in Smokey Robinson. This song was composed by Mickey Stevenson and George Gordy.

Strange Love (song)

Personnel

Lead vocals by Mary Wells

Background vocals by The Andantes (Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps) and The Love-Tones (Carl Jones, Joe Miles, and Stan Bracely) Instrumentation by The Funk Brothers

Strange Love (song)

References

1961 singles

1962 singles

Mary Wells songs

Songs written by William "Mickey" Stevenson

1961 songs

Motown singles

Songs written by George Gordy